Chapter 8 My Favorite Person #2
“I know you don’t want to talk about these things, but y’all need to consider it. The last thing I want is for either of you or him to get injured,” I argue. “And if the lift is broken and the caregivers are calling out, it would be nice to have some alternates so it doesn’t all fall on you.”
“We’ll look into it,” she says. “But you need to look after yourself and stop worrying about us. Promise me you’ll find a place to live that’s decent.”
“My current place is decent.”
“Baby, you live in a shoebox that was built god knows when. You constantly complain about leaks and repairs that need to be done. No wonder they sold it.” She gives me that look that moms give when they know they’re right.
“It’s not that bad.”
My mind jumps to the bucket I placed on the kitchen counter this morning to capture the water dripping through the ceiling, and I wonder if it’ll be fixed when I get home.
“Do you currently have any active leaks?” she asks like she can read my mind.
“Yes. Okay, maybe you have a point, but overall it’s safe, affordable, and close to work. I like living there, and I’m really bummed that I have to move.”
“I know, but maybe it’s time to spend a little bit more money on the present. I know you have big dreams, and I have no doubt you’ll get there one day, but you never will if you don’t take care of yourself now.”
“My friends have been really supportive. They all offered me spare rooms and their couches, but I don’t want to intrude.”
“It might be a temporary solution until you find something more permanent,” my dad says.
An unwelcome Tanner thought pops into my head, but I push it away.
“Yeah, but Poppy and Lacey moved in with their boyfriends. Chloe is a single mom, and Gray’s in a studio. They don’t need me barging in and taking up space.”
“I’m not surprised,” my mom says.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s just you always think about others before you think about yourself. It’s admirable until it starts to affect your quality of life.”
Okay, ouch.
“I agree with your mother.” Dad sips from his mug.
The chances of me finding something as affordable as Cedar Hill is slim. I refuse to stop saving money, so maybe I should just give in. I stand from the table and load my mug into the dishwasher.
“I’ll find something. Worst case scenario, I’ll take one of my friends up on their offer until I can find something.”
Mom smiles. “Now that’s a plan I can get behind. I’m glad you’ve found a good group of friends.”
“Me too.” Poppy, Logan, Lacey, Jacks, Donovan, Enzo, Gray, Chloe, and Tanner pop into my head.
For the first time in I don't know how long, the world around me seems a little more settled, and I don’t feel so lost. After Cody’s accident and all of my friendships ended, I dreamed of being a part of a friend group like this, and while we’ve had some ups and downs, I’m so glad to call each of them my friend—even Tanner.
I lean against their counter, and my eyes land on the calendar hanging on the fridge. My mom, always one to be thinking ahead, has already changed the month to September. A big heart is drawn on the thirtieth around the words twenty-five years.
“Are y’all going to do anything for your anniversary? Twenty-five years is a big deal.”
“We talked about going out to eat, but we’ll probably just grill some steaks here and open a nice bottle of wine,” my dad explains. “Mondays the caregiver gets off at three, so we’ll need to be here with your brother.”
“Y’all are trying to convince me to look after myself, and you’re not looking after you. I know it’s hard to take a break, but y’all deserve a night out. Do you want me to come over and hang with Cody while y’all go to dinner?”
“You don’t have to do that,” my mom says.
“Please, hanging out with him is my favorite thing. If I had it my way, I’d send y’all away for a week so you could actually take a vacation, and one day I will. But, in the meantime, I can come hang out with my brother, and y’all can go to dinner.”
“Goodness, who raised you to be so caring and wonderful?” my mom teases.
“You did.” I roll my eyes, and both of my parents stand, laughing. My dad winces again.
“I think I’m going to head out,” I say. “Please consider hiring more help. Dad, please go see a doctor about your back. And Mom, if you need help with the insurance stuff, call me, and I can see what I can do.”
“We will,” he says, wrapping me up tightly. “But you need to consider what we said too.”
“I will. Love you both, and I’ll put your anniversary on my calendar. Dad, you better take Mom somewhere nice.”
“Consider it done. I love you.” Dad kisses the side of my head and releases me. I turn to find my mom. She sets down her mug and pulls me into her. I’m wrapped up in her scent once more, and I breathe her in, instantly calming my nervous system again.
“I’ll call your dad’s doctor tomorrow,” she whispers in my ear.
“Thank you.” I squeeze my arms around her.
On my way out the door, I stop by Cody’s room and peek in. I smile when I spy the Spiderman I gave him on the shelf among the hundred or so figurines that line the top of his room. He’s sound asleep. “Love you, bud,” I whisper before closing his door softly.